Tom - I'm sorry that you didn't pick up on the sodium/potassium interference when you first joined our group... same thing with calcium/magnesium. ItÂ’s a fundamental start in the managing of afib. We do try to emphasize that the beauty of eating Paleo- is that it consists of whole, fresh food. That way, you automatically eliminate a lot of the problems with salt and other additives, chemicalsby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Carol - of course. That and too many carbs that deplete stores of both magnesium and potassium...if there happens to be much at all. Most foods on a SAD (junk) diet aren't abundant in Mg and K+. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Lisa - Flecainide seemed to make my afib worse and it did, indeed, escallate until I had daily events that were of very long duration.... UNTIL I optimized my magnesium and potassium by food and supplements. I went from daily events down to zero. To clarify that, additionally, I also had my diaphragm adjusted so it well could have been the combo. But...post ablation, if I allowed those electroby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Gregg - I agree with George's advice on the potassium. I don't use the Tamer recipe but just add to my already good food intake of potassium-containing foods, two or three teaspoons of the powdered potassium gluconate daily. I was never bothered by ectopy post-ablation, but in years 3 and 4 did have some breakthrough AF which resolved when I optimized both the magnesium and potassiumby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Tom, if you eat protein from meat sources, that naturally contains sodium. Your dietary potassium to sodium ratio should be a minimum of 4:1; Michael Murray ND says 5:1. There are some physicians that seem to think adding a bit of sea salt to one's diet is good advice. If you miss salt, you can add it very sparingly. The big problem is in packaged foods... for taste appeal, they add larby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Steve - I'm glad to see you report your success and the location. That's a major surgery. People who are not Lone Afibbers don't have a lot of options especially if a valve replacement is involved. You are fortunate that yours is doing well. One of our members in New Zealand had a valve replacement and also the Maze ablation and is still plagued with afib. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Well, gosh, Peggy.... I'm sorry to see this. Glad it was a short event. That's just afib. Opportunisitic pest. Best to you, Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Lynn - I have never been instructed to stop supplements... aspirin, yes; or obviously, an anti-coagulant. If you are concerned with the hypoglycemia issue, then you could consider delaying your date and negotiating for a time when they can provide you with a glucose solution IV the minute you arrive for the procedure. That may help.....however, with the 12-hour fast and no protein, it can be aby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Barb - as for the 'weak' diagnosis... just assume that you have a sensitivity. Period. Do not go for the endoscopy. The most definitive diagnosis for true celiac is from a biopsy in the intestine which looks at villous atrophy. You don't want to wait so long that you have atrophy...then the damage is done. Just continue to stay off all gluten-containing grains. Do read theby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Carol - I use the term... heart arrhythmia.... and I've found for the most part, people seem to have heard the word, arrhythmia. But, the bottom line is....until you've had an event, you can't possibly imagine how disconcerting or downright alarming AF really is. You have to realize that the majority of people are not tuned into their body at all. They expect it to functionby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Jeff - I had my Natale abltion in November 03 and I've not been sorry for one minute. Just don't push your recovery time or be tempted to overdo. If you have used the essential electrolytes up to now, then resume once you are home, I found it definitely helped keep my heart calm so it could heal. Best to you, Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Hello Susan - Glad to see you are doing so well. My Natale ablation was in 2003. In years 4 and 5 post-ablation, I had 5 afib breakthrough events which I converted quickly with the PIP approach. I'm glad your EP suggested adding more magnesium because I am totally convinced that if I become low in either magnesium or potassium, I risk another breakthrough. I just wish it were standardby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Tom - if you eat ample protein and healthy fat, you won't be hungry at all on a Paleo style eating. Good luck. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Lisa - in this BB and the past several, type in the search feature both aspirin and then separately nattokinase. This has been a frequent topic. Plus go to the CR sessions on Nattokinase. The most significant difference between the two, in my view, is there is no downside to using the enzyme, nattokinase, insofar as stomach irritation, GI ulceration or risk of bleeding/hemorrhage. I am unaby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
James - I'm sorry - I missed that you also supplement with potassium....so you are fine. As for the green beans, I always use them. It's my understanding that it's when the inside of the bean (seed) is used, then there is both the carb content and the lignans in that which can be considered a problem. With the young, tender fresh green beans, the tender outer green with no laby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Tom - Paleo man didn't have refined packaged foods. The website for the Paleo diet was given several times. Spend some time there... the list is extensive. It's about certain whole fresh foods and as many raw as possible. If you can't tolerate raw, then lightly steamed. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Inflammation is well known to contribute to afib through a variety of mechanisms. Even foods that cause inflammation in some individuals are triggers. Now, for you, Rudy is to quench the inflammatory process. I'd start with a dietary assessment....and consider eliminating all foods containing the gluten protein found in many grains... wheat, oats, rye, barley, spelt, triticale. A large mby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Peter - this is exactly why we say we are 'experiments of one'.... we are each so biochemically unique that there isn't just one directive that works for everyone. Thanks for sharing your protocols and success with us. Long may it last. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
James - You're on the right path....just keep tweaking the essentials to be sure you get enough inside the cells...it takes time. I'd be cautious with too much water, though, especially before meals, as that will dilute stomach acid when the food gets there. Most people don't have enough stomach acid and benefit from digestive enzymes that include betaine HCl. I am not sureby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
James - controlling the Bp is obviously high priority. I suggest you get the most recent version of The K Factor by Richard K. Moore, MD, PhD....it's all about getting enough potassium from diet in a ratio high enough compared to sodium so that you can actually reverse hypertension. The K factor means potassium - chemical symbol for potassium is K. Most people consume way too much sodiuby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Peggy - Obviously, you are enjoying your spree but if you are truly sensitive to gluten, I find it puzzling that you worry about clot formation in one post and then elaborate on the variety of unhealthy foods that cause inflammation and the potential for thick blood (and risk of clots) in another. You worry me. I'm delighted that the S. Boulardii healed your gut but I am concerned that yoby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Barb - what exactly was explained to you as 'weak celiac'.... how were you diagnosed? What tests? Those who have a true gluten intolerance are celiacs and absolutely must avoid all gluten or risk losing function of the intestinal tract. Others may have a gluten sensitivity which can manifest in a variety of ways - see CR #54. Because the symptoms and manifestations are often silby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
George.... when I hear the functional medicine professionals talking about eating plans that are based on "Paleo" eating, they do not emphasize high protein only or to get to ketosis. To reach ketosis, one eats very few carbohydrates and large amounts of fat and protein. By contrast, Paleo eating is not heavy emphasis on protein but includes a large amount of plant-based (low carb) fby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Teri - I am so pleased that your heart is improving. Magnesium, vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 in the form of Menaquinone 7 or K2MK7 all help direct food sources of calcium (and supplemental) into bones where it belongs as opposed to depositing in soft tissue such as arteries. You should be supplementing optimally with those. The most important thing is to remember to avoid an acidic diet so yourby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Peter - wonderful! ...so then are is the ectopy lessening with your sauna and supplementing protocols? Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Tom - You really have to use common sense with Paleo eating. Bacon? I think not - although it is allowed. Check the chemicals in bacon ... even if you aren't worried about that type fat... and frying. If you are going to commit to Paleo eating, then do yourself a favor and do it right so you have the best chance of success. The end result hopefully will be you can stop afib, avoid aby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Sue - I had the same experience as Lou did. No big deal at all. Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Tom - Several influences. Did you read Conference Room #54 about the gluten issue and why Paleo eating seems to help afibbers? Magnesium and potassium plus many other nutrients are required to metabolize carbs and produce insulin to manage the sugar that carbs turn into. If you are marginal, low or deficient in either electrolyte, a starchy carb diet is apt to contribute to afib because youby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
James - This may sound harsh - but you either eat Paleo or you don't and there is no sense is trying it half-way if you want to try to get rid of afib. It will take at least 2 or 3 months before you stabilize and know for sure what improvements result. This will mean that you have to read labels on packaged foods and avoid breaded foods or anything that might have a thickening using flby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM
Peggy, dear - you are such a jewel! Love your philosophy. Don't ever change! Just this week, Wayne Dyer was quoted in the paper. When asked about his diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, he said: "We are infinite spiritual beings having a temporary human experience. Find that within yourself." Jackieby Jackie - AFIBBERS FORUM